Wireless layered security system

ABSTRACT

A security system for use with a wireless access point that is configured to transmit a first wireless signal within a predetermined transmission range includes an outdoor lighting fixture including a master wireless transceiver configured and located to receive the first wireless signal from the wireless access point and to re-transmit the first wireless signal beyond the predetermined transmission range; and a first peripheral device located and configured to receive the first wireless signal re-transmitted from the master wireless transceiver, and to transmit a second wireless signal to at least one of (a) the wireless access point via the master wireless transceiver, and (b) a second peripheral device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), from U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/614,231, filed Jan. 5, 2018, the subjectmatter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a security system, and moreparticularly to a system of wirelessly connected integrated securitydevices with at least one security device being an outdoor device withwireless capability.

People around the world are increasingly reliant on their mobile phonedevices and tablets to access the internet by connecting to a networkwirelessly. Home devices such as home cameras and home assistants alsorely on connection to a wireless network to allow users to view andcontrol the cameras and to command the home assistant. Wireless accessto a user's security system provides great convenience and comfortknowing that his or her home is secure and safe. A wireless access pointprovides such a connection to the wireless network. The shortcoming ofwireless access, however, is that the user or the home device must bewithin a certain range or distance from a wireless access point toconnect to the network. If the user moves outside this wireless range,connection to the network is dropped. A wireless range extender or awireless repeater are devices which can increase the range and coverageof the wireless access point. The wireless extender takes signals fromthe existing wireless access point and forwards the signals to extendthe range and coverage of wireless access. Furthermore, the wirelessextender takes signals from devices connected to itself and forwards thesignals to the existing access point. However, the wireless extendermust be located within range of the wireless access point and pluggedinto an electrical outlet inside the home. Moreover, a wireless extenderis bulky and unsightly, and as such makes it difficult to provide aninconspicuous or hidden location for the device.

SUMMARY

A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes a plurality of outdoor devices in wired or wirelesscommunication with one another in a shared wireless network. At leastone of the outdoor devices is in wired or wireless communication with awireless access point (e.g., a home router) and functions as a repeateror extender to extend the wireless coverage to other outdoor devices,which could be, for example, Wi-Fi coverage. For simplicity, the outdoordevice functioning as a repeater or extender will be called a masterdevice, and any outdoor device that does not serve as a repeater orextender of the wireless signals will be called a peripheral device. Themaster device extends wireless coverage to provide network access forthe peripheral devices and other wireless devices, such as a laptop,mobile phone, or tablet. Thus, the master device “provides” theperipheral devices. The master device may be a wireless repeater with acellular module for cellular capability. The master device may alsoaccommodate other wireless technology, including Bluetooth. In aresidential or commercial setting, there may be more than one masterdevice to provide wireless coverage to one or more peripheral devices.For example, master devices at the front and rear of a home may bothprovide wireless coverage to a peripheral device at a side of the home.

The master device can be generally wired to a constant power supply,such as an electrical outlet, or hardwired to the home's electricalsystem to ensure that sufficient power is provided for extending thewireless coverage of the home router, and it may have a backup batteryin case of a power failure. Alternatively, the master device can bebattery powered and/or solar powered to recharge the battery.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the master device can be anoutdoor light fixture, such as a coach light, which can include a lightfixture housing, a lamp, a driver configured to supply and control powerto the lamp, one or more wireless transceivers or radios (e.g., Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, LTE, Z-Wave, Zigbee, and HaLOW) configured to send andreceive data (or separate transmitter and receiver), a controllermanaging network signals and data, and one or more wireless antennasconnected to the transceiver. The one or more wireless antennas can bepositioned at least partially within the light fixture housing oroutside of the light fixture housing. In this embodiment, the outdoorlight fixture can provide light to the surroundings and increase thewireless range and coverage of the wireless access point. The outdoorlight fixture can provide wireless access to the network by extendingthe wireless range and coverage outdoors to peripheral devices and otherwireless devices, which may be indoors and located nearer to the outdoorlight fixture than to the wireless access point. Furthermore, by servingas a wireless extender or repeater, battery powered devices such as aphone or tablet, and outdoor battery powered devices, such as outdoorspeakers, cameras, or lighting, located near the outdoor light fixturecould reduce electrical power consumption to receive and transmitsignals to the wireless network because of the shorter distance to theoutdoor light fixture relative to the home router. Thus, the masterdevice can extend the battery life of peripheral devices.

The light fixture may also include a camera to record image data whichcan be transmitted to a wireless device such as a phone, tablet, andpersonal assistant. The camera may be fixed, or it can be movable topan, tilt, and/or zoom. Control of the camera can be performed by a userthrough a wireless device or automatically.

The light fixture may also include a speaker and a microphone to provideaudio communication, such as an intercom.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a security system foruse with a wireless access point that is configured to transmit a firstwireless signal within a predetermined transmission range. The securitysystem can comprise an outdoor lighting fixture including a masterwireless transceiver configured and located to receive the firstwireless signal from the wireless access point and to re-transmit thefirst wireless signal beyond the predetermined transmission range, and afirst peripheral device located and configured to receive the firstwireless signal re-transmitted from the master wireless transceiver, andto transmit a second wireless signal to at least one of (a) the wirelessaccess point via the master wireless transceiver, and (b) a secondperipheral device.

The outdoor lighting fixture can include a camera that is controllablein response to the first wireless signal transmitted by the wirelessaccess point.

The outdoor lighting fixture can also include audio components that arecontrollable in response to the first wireless signal transmitted by thewireless access point.

The peripheral device can include a peripheral wireless transceiverconfigured to receive the first wireless signal and to transmit thesecond wireless signal.

The peripheral device can include a device selected from the groupconsisting of one or more of a mobile phone, a tablet device, a laptopcomputer, a camera, a lighting fixture, an electronic deadbolt, anelectronic personal assistant device, and a peripheral wirelesstransceiver.

The peripheral device can be one of a plurality of peripheral devices,each of which is configured to receive the wireless signalre-transmitted from the master wireless transceiver.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes an outdoor lightingfixture, which can comprise a housing containing an illuminationelement, a master wireless transceiver in the housing configured toreceive a wireless signal from a wireless access point having apredetermined transmission range, and to re-transmit the wireless signalbeyond the predetermined transmission range of the wireless accesspoint, and a camera configured for wireless communication with thewireless access point via the master wireless transceiver.

The outdoor lighting fixture can also include audio componentsconfigured to provide an intercom in wireless communication with thewireless access point.

The wireless signal from the wireless access point can be a firstwireless signal, and the camera can be configured for communication withthe wireless access point via a second wireless signal.

The master wireless transceiver can be configured for receiving thesecond wireless signal and for re-transmitting the second wirelesssignal to the wireless access point.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a lightingfixture, which can comprise a housing supporting an illuminationelement, a power controller disposed within the housing and coupled to apower supply and the illumination element, the power controllerconfigured to control power to the illumination element, and a cameramodule disposed within the housing and coupled to the power controller.

The camera module can include a camera configured to capture imagesignals, a microphone configured to capture incoming audio signals, aspeaker configured to output outgoing audio signals, and a transceiverconfigured to send the image signals and incoming audio signals andreceive the outgoing audio signals from a wireless access point having apredetermined transmission range.

The transceiver can be further configured to receive and re-broadcastthe wireless signals to a peripheral device.

The camera module can further comprise a passive infrared detector tosense motion.

The camera module can further comprise an ambient light detector.

The camera module can send signals to the power controller to controlthe power to the illumination element based on signals received from thepassive infrared detector or the ambient light detector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a wireless layered security system appliedin a residential setting.

FIGS. 2A-2C are various views of an embodiment of an outdoor deviceshown as a coachlight.

FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a coachlight.

FIGS. 3A-3C are various views of one embodiment of a peripheral device100 b shown as a security light with a camera.

FIGS. 4-12 each show a different embodiment of the outdoor device ofFIG. 1 within a wireless network system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the presently preferredembodiments of the light fixture provided in accordance with aspects ofthe present components, assemblies, and method. It is not intended torepresent the only forms in which the present components, assemblies,and method may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forththe features and the steps for constructing and using the embodiments ofthe present components, assemblies, and method in connection with theillustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the sameor equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the present disclosure. As denoted elsewhere herein, likeelement numbers are intended to indicate like or similar elements orfeatures.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a wireless layered security system 50 foruse with a structure or building, such as a residential home 25. Thewireless layered security system 50 includes a plurality of outdoordevices 100 in wired or wireless communication with one another locatedoutside of the home 25, remote from a wireless access point 30originating from inside the home 25. The wireless access point 30 may beor include a Wi-Fi router, as discussed below. The plurality of outdoordevices 100 includes at least one master device 100 a and can include atleast one peripheral device 100 b. The master device 100 a is locatedwithin a predetermined transmission range of the access point 30, and itcan function as a repeater or extender to extend the wireless coverageto provide network or internet access for the peripheral device(s) 100 band, advantageously, other wireless and outdoor devices, such as alaptop computer, mobile phone, or tablet, by taking the wireless signalsfrom an existing wireless access point or router 30, amplifying thewireless signals, and forwarding the wireless signals to create anothernetwork. The master device 100 a can be a wireless repeater; it may havea cellular module for cellular capability; and it may accommodate otherwireless technology, including Bluetooth.

Because more power may be needed to provide this repeater functionality,the master device 100 a may be wired to a constant power supply, such asan AC electrical outlet, or it may be hardwired to the home's electricalsystem to ensure that sufficient power is consistently provided forextending wireless coverage. In the event of a power failure, the masterdevice 100 a may have or be connected to a backup battery. Conceivably,the master device 100 a may also be battery powered with or withoutsolar power cells to recharge the battery. The peripheral device 100 bcommunicates with the master device 100 a or another peripheral device100 b, and it may or may not function as a repeater. In some cases, aconstant power supply may not be needed, in which case, these peripheraldevices 100 b can be battery powered. An example of a master device 100a may be a front porch light, coachlight, or security light, which mayor may not have a camera and/or an intercom system (e.g., microphone andspeaker) for added security and convenience. An example of a peripheraldevice 100 b may be a security light, peephole camera,electronic/digital deadbolt door lock 101, outdoor speaker, remotecamera, path lighting, gate sensor, and other remote sensors. Each ofthese peripheral devices 100 b could rely on the master device 100 a oranother peripheral device 100 b for access to the internet if the homerouter is unable to reach these devices 100 b. In some cases, it may beadvantageous to have the peripheral device(s) 100 b as close as possibleto the master device 100 a, or to minimize any barriers between thedevices that may diminish the wireless signals, so as to reduce thepower that would be required from the peripheral device 100 b, thusextending the battery life of the peripheral device 100 b. For example,if the master device 100 a is embodied as or in an outdoor lightingfixture (such as, e.g., a coach light or broadly speaking, a lightingfixture), as described below, and the peripheral device 100 b isembodied in a digital/electronic deadbolt 101 (as described below),receiving and sending Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signals between the digitaldeadbolt and the fixture would require less power than if thedigital/electronic deadbolt were to communicate directly with the homerouter, because of the short distance and direct line of sight due tothe absence of walls and other obstacles between the devices.

There may also be more than one master device 100 a to provide wirelesscoverage to one or more peripheral devices 100 b. For example, if thereis a coach light-embodied master device 100 a at both the front and rearof the home, a security light (i.e., peripheral device 100 b) at theside of the home could send signals via either or both coach lights. Inanother example, several master devices 100 a can be scattered outdoorsto create a network of “nodes” at which the peripheral device(s) 100 bcan connect. One or more peripheral devices 100 b may also function as“extenders” by sending and receiving only certain packets of data,rather than all the data that would be sent and received by a masterdevice 100 a. A filter in a peripheral device 100 b could filter outcertain data, so that packet forwarding through the peripheral device100 b can be selective or topologically dependent.

FIGS. 2A-2D (collectively FIG. 2) illustrates a master device 100 aembodied as a light fixture 200 (e.g., an outdoor coach light), whichcan include a light fixture housing 210, a lamp housing 290, a lamp 295positioned in the lamp housing, a driver 220 configured to supply andcontrol power to the lamp 295, a microcontroller unit (“MCU”) 230,control circuity or controller 240, a camera 250, a microphone 260, aspeaker 265, and/or a pair of wireless antennas 270, and a transceiver280. In the illustrated embodiments, the light fixture 200 can beconfigured for lighting an area around the light fixture, for providingvideo surveillance, audio/video communication, and/or for couplingexterior devices to a wireless network.

The light fixture housing 210 can be weatherproof and define an interiorspace 215, which may be separated into one or more cavities. In oneembodiment, the lamp housing is connected to the light fixture housing210 by a structure, such as an arm 205, coupled to both the lightfixture housing 210 and the lamp housing 290. In the illustratedembodiment, the arm 205 extends away from an outward facing surface ofthe light fixture housing 210 to a side or an end of the lamp housing290 to support the lamp housing 290 and connect the lamp housing 290 tothe light fixture housing 210. Wires may extend through a channel 207 inthe arm 205 to supply power to the lamp 295 and other components, whichmay be on or in the lamp housing 290. In another embodiment, the lamphousing 290 is coupled directly to the light fixture housing 210. In yetanother embodiment, the lamp housing 290 and the light fixture 210 forma single unitary structure, in which case the lamp 295 and othercomponents are positioned within an interior of the single unitarystructure. The light fixture housing 210 and the lamp housing 290 can bemade of a metal, polymer, glass, composite, or a combination ofmaterials. For example, the light fixture housing 210 can be made of acombination of a polymer and metal to allow wireless signals to passthrough, and yet be durable enough to cover and protect components ofthe light fixture therein. The lamp housing 290 can also be made of acombination of materials, such as a metal frame surrounding orsupporting a translucent or transparent glass or polymer to allow lightemitted from the lamp to pass therethrough.

The lamp 295 may include a socket 296 inside the lamp housing 290 toreceive a lighting element 297 (e.g., light bulb) engageable in thesocket 296. Alternatively, the lamp 295 itself may be a lighting elementor illumination element (e.g., one or more light emitting diodes)configured to emit light. A driver 220 located inside the light fixturehousing or lamp housing may be used to regulate power from a powersource to the lamp by providing a constant amount of power to the lampshould its electrical properties change with temperature. The powersource may be a constant source, such as a home's electrical system, orit may be or include solar cells, one or more batteries, or anycombination.

The light fixture may also include a controller 240 or control circuitrylocated in the light fixture housing 210 or lamp housing 290 to controldifferent lighting configurations for the lamp. In one embodiment, thecontroller 240 may set different brightness levels of the lamp,depending on the ambient lighting conditions detected by a light sensor247 and motion detected from the camera 250 (an optic-based motiondetector) or other motion sensor 255 (e.g., passive infrared, activeinfrared, piezo-electric, ultrasonic). For example, the lamp 295 may beset to power on and off at certain times of a day by a timer 245 ortriggered on by detection of motion or ambient light by the one or moresensors. These lighting events may be stored in a memory 235 or memorystructure, such as a memory card. Software or program instructions forthe lighting, among other things (e.g., functions of the camera andmanaging network signals as explained below), can also be stored in oneor more memory structures, and can be executed by the MCU 230 or one ormore processors.

The camera 250 or a camera module including the camera 250 is mounted atleast partially within the light fixture housing 210 or the lamp housing290. For example, a lens 252 of the camera 250 may be located orprotrude just outside of the light fixture housing. The camera 250 canbe fixed to monitor a limited area, or it may be movable to pan, tilt,zoom, and/or shift position to monitor a larger area. IR light producedfrom, for example, LED's adjacent to or surrounding the lens of thecamera 250, can allow the camera 250 to capture images and video whenthere is little or no ambient light by, for example, switching to amonochrome filter. As shown, the camera 250 is a circular camera mountedjust below the lamp housing to capture images above and below the lamphousing. More specifically, the camera 250 can capture images above andbelow a horizontal plane. However, the location, size, shape,configuration, and type of camera 250 can be selected according to theparticular needs and requirements of the user.

The camera 250 may also include a wireless transceiver 280 with anantenna 270 to receive and transmit signals to and from the camera 250and other components of the light fixture. The information transmittedcan be status, control, audio, video, and image information. Thus, thecamera 250 can directly transmit status and image or video informationcaptured by the camera 250, and it can receive signals to control themovement, zoom, and other functions of the camera 250. Alternatively,the camera can be connected to a control circuit or controller 240 tomanage the signals to and from the camera 250. In one example, when thecamera 250 or the motion sensor 255 detects motion, the controller cancause the camera to pan, tilt, and/or zoom to a specific area of thedetected motion. The controller can then control the camera 250 torecord image and video information of the specific area and save theinformation in a memory 235, from which the information can then betransmitted wirelessly by an RF or wireless transceiver 280. Thecontroller 240 may also control the camera 250 to send the image andvideo information in real-time via the wireless transceiver 280. A pairof antennas 270 electrically connected to the transceiver 280 cantransmit and receive data to and from the camera 250, as discussed indetail below. The camera 250 may also be used to initially connect thelight fixture 200 to the network. For example, a QR code from acontroller, such as an app on a smart phone, can be used to pair thelight fixture 200 to the Wi-Fi network. The camera may also have facerecognition and communicate through Bluetooth.

The motion sensor 255 of the light fixture 200 may be or include aninertial measurement unit (IMU) to sense vibration, and/or a passiveinfrared (PIR) sensor to sense motion, which, when triggered, can causethe camera 250 to begin recording, or the light fixture 200 may bealerted, for example, to increase power to the transceiver 280.

In combination with, or in place of, the camera 250, a speaker 265 andmicrophone 260 can provide audio communication through the light fixture200. The transceiver 280 can transmit audio information from themicrophone 260 and receive audio information for the speaker 265. Thus,the microphone 260 and speaker 265 can serve as an intercom or playdeterrent sounds, alarms, and/or music. The microphone 260 and speaker265 can also be used alone or in combination with the camera 250 to pairthe light fixture 200 to the Wi-Fi network. Thus, the microphone 260 canbe used for audio recognition and analytics.

Commands, signals, and video and audio information from the lightfixture 200 can be exchanged with a wireless client device 400, such asa mobile phone, tablet, or personal assistant (e.g., Alexa®, GoogleHome®) directly, or indirectly, such as through the wireless accesspoint. The wireless client device 400 may be used to view the camerainformation, listen to the audio information received by the microphone260, or transmit sound, such as a spoken voice or music through anapplication 410. The wireless client device 400 may also be used tocontrol the lighting, such as setting up the timer for powering the lampand controlling the rate of illumination, and it may also controlmovement of the camera 250, such as panning, tilting, zooming, andrecording.

Each wireless client device 400 can be unique to the light fixture, andwhen the wireless client device 400 is “paired” (or tethered) to thelight fixture 200, only that wireless client device can control thelight fixture 200 and operate features of the light fixture 200, such asthe camera 250, microphone 260, and speaker 265. A wireless clientdevice 400 that is not paired to the light fixture 200 cannot control oroperate features of the light fixture 200, even if a correct usernameand password verifying the owner is entered. This prevents anyone whohas improperly, or without authorization, acquired the username andpassword of the rightful owner, and who is using an unpaired wirelessclient device 400, from controlling and operating the light fixture 200.Only the wireless client device 400 that has been paired can be used tooperate the light fixture 200.

Pairing can be accomplished by combining a unique half of the key fromthe wireless client device 400 and a uniquely generated key from thelight fixture 200. Thus, each pairing key for pairing a wireless clientdevice 400 with the light fixture 200 will be different for eachwireless client device 400 and light fixture 200. It should be notedthat although pairing a wireless client device 400 is discussed herewith a light fixture 200, the wireless client device 400 can pair withany master or peripheral device 100 a, 100 b of this disclosure, such asa deadbolt, or a wireless device in general, and the details and methodof doing so would be similar.

A to-be-paired wireless client device 400 can also be paired to thelight fixture 200 through, for example, the app on an already-pairedwireless client device 400. This can be accomplished by a pairing code(e.g., an e-key) given to the “to-be-paired” wireless client device bythe wireless client device 400 already paired to the light fixture 200.Once the “to-be-paired” wireless client device becomes a paired wirelessclient device, it can also operate the light fixture 200 and sendpairing codes to other wireless client devices 400. Thus, a family ofwireless client devices 400, each unique to the light fixture 200 andforming a unique pair, can be generated for each household member.Moreover, any of the paired wireless devices can unpair another pairedwireless client device 400 from the light fixture 200, so that if awireless client device 400 is lost or stolen, that lost or stolen devicecannot be used to operate the light fixture 200.

The light fixture 200 may also serve as a wireless extender, repeater,or wireless hub, and if the light fixture is connected to the internetvia a cable, it may serve as a wireless access point. The wirelessantenna 270 may comprise a pair of wireless antennas, with a first ofthe pair of wireless antennas 270 configured to transmit and receivewireless signals from a wireless access point, such as a home router,and a second of the pair of wireless antennas 270 configured to transmitand receive wireless signals from a wireless client device 400, such asa mobile phone, tablet, or an outdoor wireless device spaced apart fromthe light fixture. Alternatively, the light fixture may have separateantennas for transmission and reception. In an example, the lightfixture can include an effective multi-antenna (at least 2) design fordiversity reception, and an effective multi-antenna (at least 2) designfor diversity transmission. An external antenna can be used with thelight fixture for improved performance and coverage, in which case, thelight fixture would have a connector to connect to the external antenna.

The wireless antennas 270 may be positioned entirely within the interiorcavity 215 of the light fixture housing 210 and/or the interior of thelamp housing. Alternatively, the wireless antennas 270 may be positionedat least partially within or outside of the interior cavity 215 of thelight fixture housing and/or the interior of the lamp housing. In someembodiments, the antennas 270 may be a part of the structure of thelight fixture housing 210, or they may appear as part of an ornamentalfeature of the light fixture 200. The wireless antennas 270 may bedirectional or omni-directional. In one embodiment, the first wirelessantenna is configured to transmit or receive wireless signals along afirst direction to one or more wireless access points, such as a homerouter or another extender or repeater. The first antenna may beadjustable automatically or by a user to better focus the RF energy in aparticular direction. The second wireless antenna is configured totransmit or receive wireless signals along a second direction to anotherwireless device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, a device locatedoutside the home, away from the light fixture, or to another extender orrepeater, another lighting fixture, a master or peripheral device 100 a,100 b, or a low-powered wireless device located near the light fixture,such as a Bluetooth device or other battery powered device. Similarly,the second wireless antenna may be adjustable automatically or by a userto better focus the RF energy in the second direction, such asapproximately opposite the first direction or towards a desired area.Thus, the light fixture 200 may serve as a wireless extender, a wirelesshub, or a wireless access point, so that devices outside of the home canbe coupled and connected to the wireless network via the light fixture200. In one example, the Wi-Fi output power levels can be configurablebetween a minimum power (e.g., 30 mW) and a maximum power available fromthe light fixture 200. The light fixture 200 can also support the manualor automatic adjustment of transmitted radio power levels.

The light fixture 200 also includes one or more processors ormicrocontroller units (MCUs) 230 and memory 235 (e.g., RAM and/or ROM)to store and run firmware of the light fixture 200, control networktraffic, and handle other device functions. The light fixture 200 mayalso include one or more radios or RF transceivers 280 to handlewireless communication, as shown in FIGS. 4-12, a wireless chipset 236,and one or more amplifiers 237. The light fixture may also include anethernet port, USB port, audio output, or other I/O, to connect to anexternal antenna, or it may include a recharging port for its batterypower source (if any). In one embodiment, more than one processor 230may be used to send and receive network information. For example, aseparate processor (or state machine) may be used to handle receivingoperations (i.e. packets received by an RNIC processor), and anotherprocessor or state machine may be used to handle outgoing operations(i.e., packets transmitted by the RNIC).

Since the light fixture provides an “extension” of the pre-existing homeWi-Fi network, the traffic destined to/originating from devicesassociated with the Wi-Fi network established by the light fixture canbe transparently forwarded from/to the pre-existing home Wi-Fi networkassociated with the light fixture, which means that payload in 802.11data frames is not modified. Examples of payload include TCP/IP data,DHCP messages, etc. Therefore, it is not expected that 802.11 controland management frames are forwarded between the Wi-Fi networks. Thus,the light fixture can interoperate with proprietary mesh networks. Thatis, the traffic forwarding can occur when the light fixture is connectedto a pre-existing home Wi-Fi network that is implemented via aproprietary mesh network.

In FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the master device 100 a is embodied as asecurity light 300 with an optional camera 250. The security light 300may, instead, be a peripheral device 100 b (e.g., without Wi-Fi extendercapability). FIG. 3 includes at least one lamp 305, and preferably twolamps 305, each of which may advantageously include two sets of LEDs,with a first LED set 310 providing illumination when ambient light isbelow a certain threshold (e.g., too dark) or a certain time of the dayis reached, and a second LED set 320 providing illumination when motionis detected. As shown, the first set 310 of LEDs is located at the edgeof the lamp(s) 305, marked by a raised portion, and the second set 320of LEDs is positioned adjacent the first set 310 of LEDs forming alarger portion of the total LEDs. The security light 300 may include thesome or all of the features described above with reference to thelighting fixture 200 of FIGS. 2A-2D. The security light may be poweredby the home's AC electrical system, with or without a battery backup, orit may be battery-powered with solar cell recharging.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of an outdoor device asa Wi-Fi extender of an indoors Wi-Fi network. In this diagram, thisoutdoor device is a coach light as, for example, depicted in FIG. 2. Asshown, a home router or residential gateway 500 is located inside thehome. The home router serves as a wireless access point (“AP”) for allwireless devices including home devices, both indoors and outdoors,within the coverage area of the Wi-Fi network. Simply, the home router500 connects wireless devices 400 to each other and to the Internet.Wireless devices 400 outside the coverage area of the Wi-Fi networkwould not have access to the Wi-Fi network, because the distance is toogreat for a direct connection to be established. An outdoor device,shown as a coach light in FIGS. 4-12, with a wireless repeatercapability can extend the range and expand the original coverage area bytaking the Wi-Fi signal from the home router, amplifying the Wi-Fisignal, and forwarding the Wi-Fi signal, thereby forming a coverage areaoutdoors beyond the original coverage area. Furthermore, the wirelessrepeater takes signals from devices connected to itself and forwards thesignals to the existing home router 500. Thus, the outdoor device shouldbe placed at a location within the original coverage area of the Wi-Finetwork. The outdoor device with wireless repeater capability functionsas both a station (“STA”) connecting to an access point (e.g., homerouter) and an access point enabling other wireless devices to connectto it. Thus, the coach light can be described as a back-to-back STA andAP with a network processor (CPU) as controller between the STAsubsystem and AP subsystem. The STA subsystem supports the primaryfunctionality of the coach light (i.e., video camera, microphone, lamp).The STA subsystem and the AP subsystem together support the secondaryfunctionality of the coach light (i.e., extension of the pre-existinghome Wi-Fi network). If there are no externally located STAs associatedwith the AP subsystem, the STA subsystem is capable of functioningseparately in support of the camera/microphone/lamp functionality.

The outdoor lighting fixture 200 can be connected to the Wi-Fi networkusing another wireless device 400 already connected to the Wi-Finetwork, such as a smart phone, tablet, or laptop computer, as thecontroller or configurator. In one embodiment, the camera, themicrophone, and/or the speaker of the outdoor fixture 200 can be used tolink the outdoor fixture 200 to the network.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a coach light as a Wi-Fiextender, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, but with cellularcapability, such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) capability. In thisembodiment, the coach light 200 can connect wireless devices 400 withinits coverage area to the internet through the home router 500 or acellular modem 510 (e.g., LTE modem), or both (i.e., inversemultiplexing). Thus, the outdoor wireless devices 400 (or indoor deviceslocated near the coach light) will always be connected to the internetthrough either or both of these two paths.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of an outdoor device as a Wi-Fi extender ofan outdoors Wi-Fi network. The outdoor device 200 (e.g., coachlight)functions as a Wi-Fi extender/transceiver transmitting and receivingdata in the unlicensed spectrum to and from an external source toconnect the wireless devices 400 to the internet. Transmitting andreceiving can occur, for example, in the millimeter wave spectrum.

FIG. 7 is another embodiment of an outdoor device or coach light 200 asa Wi-Fi extender similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6, except licensedspectrum is used to connect to the internet rather than transmitting andreceiving data in the unlicensed spectrum.

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of an outdoor device or coach light 200 asa Wi-Fi extender with Field Area Network (FAN), which connects the coachlight 200 to a private network operated and/or managed by a utilityprovider. In this way, the coach light 200 acts as a station for theutility provider. A separate module comprising a radio and a processorprovides wireless connectivity to the FAN, and acts as a hub for thingswhich have dedicated functionality, such as a sprinkler and electricmeter.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of an outdoor device or coachlight 200 as a Wi-Fi extender and Low-Power Wide-Area Network (“LPWAN”)operating in either licensed and unlicensed LTE or in Wi-Fi usingdifferent frequency bands.

FIG. 10 is another embodiment of the outdoor device or coach light 200as a Wi-Fi extender, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 9, except thatthe outdoors to indoors extension occurs over a tunneled (logical)connection to another logical connection via the existing connectionthrough the wireless access point.

FIG. 11 is an embodiment of an outdoor device or coach light 200 whichfunctions as an Internet-Of-Things (“IOT”) access point with Field AreaNetwork (FAN), as discussed above for FIG. 8. Here, the coach light 200is not connected to the internet through the home router.

FIG. 12 is an embodiment of an outdoor device or coach light 200 whichfunctions as an Internet-Of-Things (“IOT”) access point, except withoutField Area Network (FAN).

A peripheral device 100 b may be mounted to a door of the house,embodied, for example, in an electronic or digital deadbolt that uses abattery as its source of power. The deadbolt therefore could benefitfrom the wireless coverage provided by an adjacent master device 100 a,such as the outdoor device (coach light) 200. The deadbolt may have asolar cell/panel to recharge the battery, the solar panel being eitherintegral to the deadbolt or separate from the deadbolt. The deadbolt maybe or include a mechanical lock, operated by a motor that iselectronically controlled, or it may be operated manually. In eithercase, the status of the deadbolt may be communicated wirelessly to themaster device 100 a (e.g., the outdoor device 200).

The deadbolt can have a latch sensor, that may be or include amagnetometer, and that determines whether the door is closed. Themagnetometer is first calibrated, and the value recorded when the dooris in the closed position. Any deviation from that value could indicatethe door is not in the closed position. In combination with themagnetometer may be at least one electromechanical switch pivotingaround the doorknob shaft or fixed about the doorknob and making contactwith the doorknob at the locked and/or unlocked position to indicate thestatus of the lock and the door.

The deadbolt can communicate via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Status of thedeadbolt can be determined from an application on a smart phone ortablet or by voice command through a home assistant. Capabilities of thedeadbolt may include geo-fencing, which can unlock the door when aconnected phone or device is within range of the deadbolt.

The deadbolt can also have an outward facing camera similar to thecamera described above for the light fixture (e.g., face recognition,HDR, LDC with digital PTZ, IR LED for night vision, PIR sensors forwake-up on motion detection, and connecting the deadbolt to thenetwork), and/or a speaker and a microphone similar to that describedabove for the light fixture. The speaker and microphone can function asan intercom and used for deterrence by sounding alarm or voiceresponses.

Other peripheral device 100 bs include path lighting or remote sensors,which can have IMU or PIR sensors to extend detection range and earlydetection depending on the placement of the remote sensors. A microphonecan be used for audio recognition and analytics, and siren/speaker canbe provided for alarm or deterrent sounds. This can be useful, forexample, to prepare the master device 100 a to increase power to theradio and transceiver, increase Wi-Fi range and coverage, and/or preparefor recording or triggering an alarm.

Although Wi-Fi and cellular communications are discussed in thisdisclosure, it is contemplated that the devices and the wireless networkthat these devices operate can occur in other licensed and unlicensedspectrums, such as 5G.

What is claimed is:
 1. A security system for use with a wireless accesspoint that is configured to transmit a first wireless signal within apredetermined transmission range, the security system comprising: afirst outdoor security device including a master wireless transceiverconfigured and located to receive the first wireless signal from thewireless access point and to re-transmit the first wireless signalbeyond the predetermined transmission range; and a second outdoorsecurity device including a peripheral wireless transceiver located andconfigured to receive the first wireless signal re-transmitted from themaster wireless transceiver, and to transmit, in response to there-transmitted first signal, a second wireless signal to at least one of(a) the wireless access point via the master wireless transceiver, and(b) a peripheral device.
 2. The security system of claim 1, wherein thefirst outdoor security device includes a camera that is controllable inresponse to the first wireless signal transmitted by the wireless accesspoint.
 3. The security system of claim 1, wherein the first outdoorsecurity device includes audio components that are controllable inresponse to the first wireless signal transmitted by the wireless accesspoint.
 4. The security system of claim 1, wherein the peripheral deviceis selected from the group consisting of one or more of a mobile phone,a tablet device, a laptop computer, a camera, a lighting fixture, anelectronic deadbolt, an electronic personal assistant device, and aperipheral wireless transceiver.
 5. The security system of claim 1,wherein the peripheral device is one of a plurality of peripheraldevices, each of which is configured to receive the second wirelesssignal.
 6. A security system for use with a wireless access point thatis configured to transmit a payload within a predetermined transmissionrange, the security system comprising: a first outdoor security deviceincluding a master wireless transceiver configured and located toreceive the payload from the wireless access point and to re-transmitthe payload beyond the predetermined transmission range; and a secondoutdoor security device including a peripheral wireless transceiverlocated and configured to receive the payload re-transmitted from themaster wireless transceiver, and to transmit, in response to there-transmitted payload, the payload to at least one of (a) the wirelessaccess point via the master wireless transceiver, and (b) a peripheraldevice.
 7. The security system of claim 6, wherein the first outdoorsecurity device includes a camera that is controllable in response tothe payload transmitted by the wireless access point.
 8. The securitysystem of claim 6, wherein the first outdoor security device includesaudio components that are controllable in response to the payloadtransmitted by the wireless access point.
 9. The security system ofclaim 6, wherein the peripheral device is selected from the groupconsisting of one or more of a mobile phone, a tablet device, a laptopcomputer, a camera, a lighting fixture, an electronic deadbolt, anelectronic personal assistant device, and a peripheral wirelesstransceiver.
 10. The security system of claim 6, wherein the peripheraldevice is one of a plurality of peripheral devices, each of which isconfigured to receive the payload.